Register for an Upcoming BIAA-NATA Webinar

Concussion in Youth Football: What We Know, What We Can Do, and How to Protect Young Athletes
Live Webinar on August 20, 2026, at 3:00-4:00 pm ET
Dana Waltzman, PhD and Johna Register-Mihalik, PhD, LAT, ATC, FACSM, FNATA

Concussion is one of the most common injuries in youth football, yet it is often misunderstood, underreported, and inadequately managed. Young athletes’ developing brains may be especially vulnerable to the short- and long-term effects of concussion, making education and prevention critical. In this webinar, hosted by the Brain Injury Association of America and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, in collaboration with experts from Indiana University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, participants will explore the current science of concussion in youth football. Drs. Dana Waltzman and Johna Register-Mihalik will cover risk factors, signs and symptoms, recovery considerations, and evidence-based strategies to reduce injury and support safe return to play and learning. The session will also address the role of parents, coaches, schools, and healthcare providers in creating safer environments for young athletes.

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain what a concussion is and how it affects the developing brain in children and adolescents
• Recognize common signs and symptoms of concussion in youth athletes and understand why injuries are often missed or underreported
• Identify key risk factors for concussion in youth football, including age, play style, and exposure
• Describe best practices for concussion management, including removal from play, recovery, and return-to-play and return-to-school considerations
• Apply practical, evidence-informed strategies that families, coaches, and communities can use to help prevent concussion and promote brain health in youth sports

Presenters:

Dana Waltzman, PhD, is an Associate Research Professor and Research Director within the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

Johna Register-Mihalik, PhD, LAT, ATC, FACSM, FNATA, is a Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a core faculty member in the Matthew Gfeller Center, and serves as the Co-Director of the STAR Heel Performance Laboratory and Traumatic Division Director for the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research.

How to Register:

• For FREE registration with no CE credits, click here
• For FREE registration with NATA CE credits, click here (you must provide your NATA member number and email when registering)
• For ACBIS and AOTA credits, the fee is $50. Click here to register. 

Note: If you can’t make the live event, this webinar will be recorded and available to watch for free on the BIAA and NATA websites afterward.